Toronto, Sep. 23, 2014 - Educating Through Music, a collaboration between Magic Lantern Media Inc. (MLM) and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) to bring cross-curricular lesson plans to teachers using Canadian music, was launched today at www.EducatingThroughMusic.com.

Music is a powerful educational tool that students readily embrace, and Canadian music often tells the story of our nation, its regions and its people. With a focus on students from grades seven to ten, Educating Through Music is a resource for teachers to make use of Canadian music in a variety of subject areas.

The online program includes ready-made lesson plans in both official languages using the music of Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees to teach such subjects as Canadian and World History, Language Arts, Business, Technology and Social Studies. Other resources and tools available on the site include related audio and video content, photos, song lyrics, artist profiles, articles, and student activities.

“Using music to help teachers bring knowledge to light by engaging students in song is a winning collaboration,” stated Doug Connolly, president of MLM. “The teachers get valuable tools ready-made and easy to modify, while the students have the opportunity to learn from the music of talented Canadian songwriters with lyrics that spring from our unique Canadian heritage.”

Gordon Lightfoot, Co-President of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame said, “I’ve written music that captures the culture and essence of Canada, so I’m particularly excited that my music is being used to help teach young Canadians.”

Robert Charlebois, Co-President of CSHF said, “Music has been such an essential part of my life that to have my words and thoughts shared with students as part of their education is truly rewarding.”

Educating Through Music is available as a subscription service through MLM’s educational division, Distribution Access. Teachers and school boards can go to the site for a free trial account, enabling them to have full access to the resources for a limited time, in order to fully appreciate the quality of the lesson plans and wealth of resources.

Magic Lantern Media is a leading Canadian multi-media company integrating distribution, production, television and digital applications serving the education and broadcast industries. The company operates from offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Saint John, with over 50 agents and representatives worldwide. www.MagicLanternMedia.com

The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) honours and celebrates Canadian songwriters and those who have dedicated their lives to the legacy of music, and works to educate the public about these achievements. National and non-profit, the CSHF is guided by its own board of directors who comprise both Anglophone and Francophone music creators and publishers, as well as representation from the record industry. In 2012, SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) acquired the CSHF. The Hall of Fame's mandate aligns with SOCAN's objectives as a songwriter and publisher membership-based organization. www.cshf.ca